Mike's Profile

Mike has a degree in Film from The University of Texas at Austin. He has worked in the entertainment industry for the past 25 years and sees two to four new movies in the theatre a week.
Mike has a weekly movie blog where he reviews films both present and past at:
lastonetoleavethetheatre.blogspot.com
He can be followed on Twitter @lastonetoleave

Opening this week at a theatre near you:

“Getaway” (2013)

Source: Warner Brothers

Brent (Ethan Hawke) is in a race against time, forced to get behind the wheel of a tricked out Mustang and do a mysterious man’s (Jon Voight) bidding in order to ensure that his kidnapped wife is not harmed. Along the way, he joined by a computer savvy young woman (Selena Gomez) in his quest to get his wife back unscathed. Getaway Website

Image courtesy of Warner Brothers

What to Watch For: Portions of the film were shot in Atlanta, GA in 2012. The rumors of the film being a remake or a sequel to the original film, “The Getaway” (1972) or the remake in 1992 are not true.

Word on the Street: After the success of “Spring Breakers” (2013), Gomez, in this film, is in another adult role. She is attempting to put her early Disney Channel roles behind her.

My Take: I just wonder if this is going to be a “Drive” rip-off or will it be an original take?

“Closed Circuit” (2013)

Source: Focus Features

Terrorists set off a bomb in a crowded shopping area in London that kills more than a hundred people. A suspect has been arrested, and it’s up to two lawyers, Martin (Eric Bana) and Claudia (Rebecca Hall), to see to it that the suspected terrorist gets a fair trial. Martin and Claudia soon discover that there is more than just terrorism going on here. There may be a government conspiracy covering up certain aspects of the bombing. Not only are Martin and Claudia’s reputations at stake, their lives could be, as well. Closed Circuit Website

What to Watch For: The pairing of Rebecca Hall (“The Town”) and Eric Bana (“Deadfall”) should provide plenty of romantic sparks

Word on the Street: The film is being praised by critics as a well written suspense thriller. The script was written by Oscar nominated (“Dirty Pretty Things”) screenwriter, Steven Knight.

My Take: It will be fun to see a movie where Rebecca Hall gets to use her real British accent.

“One Direction: This Is Us” (2013)

What to Watch For: The film has scenes from their first appearances on the British version of the “X Factor,” where Simon Cowell pulled the five guys and formed their group.

Word on the Street: The film is filled with the group’s hits as they perform in some of the great arenas around the globe.

My Take: The reason to see this film if you are not a fan of the group is that it’s directed by Morgan Spurlock, director of such documentaries as “Supersize Me” (2004) and “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” (2011).

“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” (2013)

Source: IFC Films

Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and his pregnant girlfriend, Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara) are on the run from the law. Their luck runs out, and they are captured after a shootout. Bob makes it his life’s mission to escape from prison and find his way back to his true love. Ain’t Them Bodies Saints Website

What to Watch For: Affleck and Mara are being talked about as possible Oscar contenders.

Word on the Street: The film is being compared, due to its stylized look and strong character development, to Terrence Malick’s classic “Days of Heaven” (1978).

My Take: Casey Affleck has become one of Hollywood’s hottest young actors, especially after this 2008 Oscar nomination for his supporting role in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (2007).

If you can’t go to the theatre this weekend, stay at home and watch movies on CW69.

Sunday

1:00 pm

“28 Days Later” (2002) Animal activists break into a laboratory to rescue chimpanzees, and they unknowingly release a virus, a virus that causes uncontrollable rage in humans. 28 days after the break-in, we encounter Jim (Cillian Murphy), who has been in a coma. He awakens to find a deserted London, or so he thinks, as he soon encounters that the virus has created zombie-like humans filled with rage.

3:00 pm

“The Accidental Husband” (2008) Emma’s (Uma Thurman) career as a radio talk show host is based on her sensible relationship advice. Emma gives advice to Patrick’s (Jeffery Dean Morgan) fiancée Sophia (Justina Machado), advising her to dump him. When she does, Patrick wants revenge and gets a friend to go online and create a fake marriage between himself and Emma. Now Emma, soon to be married herself, must figure out what the records show, if she is already married, and to whom.